Would you like some historical evidence? One of the first nationally known gunsmithing companies that specialize in custom Hi-Powers used the same base FEG pistol that I once owned (and wish I still had). Things is, they had a vent-rib on top of the slide. Cylinder & Slide milled the vent-rib off of the slide even while there was another model more closely resembling the P-35.
The model I had was very accurate. I even put Pachmayr (Hi-Power) grips on mine, all internal parts were interchangeable. So please, if anyone knows where I can find another, unused, please let me know, because as far as I know, FEG in Hungary no longer exists.
The model that is the topic of this thread is made by Tisas in Turkey. There's even a stainless steel model. I got very excited about them and read anything on the web that I could find. Unfortunately, that led to reports of broken extractors while their owners/shooters claim they were using cheap 115 gr. loads. Not a load I would have any interest in where my 9mm handloads begin at 124 grs. and fired only in pistols rated +P or 9mm NATO. The only 2 companies in Turkey that I'm aware of that actually have NATO certification are Sarsilmaz and Canik. I have one of each and they're the only ones I can vouch for personally. Specifically, a SARGUN 9 that was imported by EAA and a TP9sa imported by Century Arms. These pistols compare to anything made in Europe or the US. In fact, while a bit confusing by its model designation, the new SAR9 (totally different pistol from my SARGUN 9) was as Sarsilmaz puts it, tested against the best pistols from Germany, Austria and the US, and beat all of them. Factory pistols have been fired 100,000 rounds and a few examples went on to get an additional 50,000 rounds on top of the previous 100,000 by the Turk National Police.
Canik now states that their pistols are warranted to still meet the accuracy spec of 3" groups at 25 YARDS after 60,000 Rounds. Don't be fooled by their price. Particularly not when you consider their exchange rate for the US Dollar. There are literally a myriad of other Turkish gunmakers. I have fired nothing but my 9mm handloads through my Turks that I won't even post data for, but from my 32 years of experience with the specific powders and OACLs I use, I know they are not much if any above the 9mm NATO spec of 36,500 PSI/CIP and certainly not above the SAAMI limit of 38,500 PSI for +P. SAAMI standard pressure spec is 35,000 PSI while most commercially made ammo has a built-in safety cushion in pressure below that.
So, what is Tisas doing that would cause their extractors to break with inexpensive 115 gr. loads that are fairly mild by comparison? I do not know, and most likely, you can't find out, either. Just try sending them an email asking why? I'll let you know when I hear back from them. For now, I'm not buying any Turkish clone of the Hi-Power (P-35) or 1911. Sarsilmaz and Canik pistols aren't true clones of anything except for the CZ-75 clones. Even still, I haven't heard of any of them failing, and you need to go no farther than Cajun Gunworks to read what they think of the Canik CZ-75 clones. They're even making specific parts for them.
If you're reading reviews online, you'll inevitably read something where someone says that Turkey is not our friend! For now they are, and they have the 2nd largest standing army in NATO. So, here's where we get into the nut-cuttin'. Canik is a public co. in Turkey. Sarsilmaz is privately owned and has been since they started making guns in 1880. If Turkey's whacko president tries to make Tuekey another Islamic state, Canik is pretty much screwed while Sarsilmaz can fold shop and move wherever they want to. There's been talk already about Sarsilmaz making guns in the US while they claim to be currently making products for our Spec-Ops troops. Currently, however, Canik's TP9 series, and particularly their TP9SFx that are optic and competition ready, are catching on rapidly in the US. The model I have is the TP9sa. It's SAO but has a decocker on top of the slide. Some yahoo named New Yankee Marshall suggested rather strongly not to buy one because they're inherently dangerous. Poor dumb bastard never even thought to consider the 2 reasons the SAO and striker-fired pistol would have a decocker. 1, for their European customers that spec'd them for military use, and 2, for the US Market so that you don't have to pull the trigger, ala Glock, when disassembling the pistol in the event that there is a live round in the chamber!
